Tuesday 22 December 2009

Chemo, snow and waiting.....

Hi everyone....... I have at last started my treatment.
When I saw the snow yesterday, my heart sank. It was thick, as British snow goes, and soon made all the roads a slippery mess.
You Canadians will wonder why this should happen. Well Britain, (England anyway), is never ready for the snow.
When it pitched, the roads were un-gritted and everything came to a halt.
Very selfishly, I was only worried about getting my treatment.
I got up very early in the morning and my husband de iced daughter's car for her. She hates driving in the snow. However once we got out onto the main road, it wasn't too bad.

We found ourselves in the Hospital car park and there was no place you could park without paying an extortionate amount, which for cancer patients, some of them going in everyday, is a great hardship.

The nurse struggled to find a vein that didn't collapse and as I noticed my daughter going a funny colour, she was pleased when I told her I could manage on my own. I was much more worried about the snow than anything else I experienced.

The infusions took a long time to go in, and I was there well over six hours.
They gave me lunch and I had taken lots of things to do. However I was surprised the simple crosswords in the book I had brought seemed suddenly very difficult and I realised that my brain was not as capable of solving easy puzzles. When the chemical was flushed out of the tube in my hand, I started to be able to do the puzzles again, but I am making lots of typos that I am having to put right and I had to think really carefully how to put the signature on the post. I haven't worried about a picture this time. So I think that my brain has been affected already.

All in all, I was surprised how I could eat tonight although I do feel tired.
I have got lots of pills to take and I have lots of dos and don'ts ...... a long list of them.

Thank you to all who have emailed me and for everyones' support.
I will get round to answering soon.
I will have to play it by ear, but I have had enough for today. Will keep you posted.




42 comments:

Saz said...

Gosh, what a day you have had....I have been thinking about you lots...and know that you are surrounded by lots of friends here in blog land...
lots of love Saz x (FFF)

Chic Mama said...

I bet you are relieved that day one is over and treatment has started. One day of zapping those blighters!!
Maybe it was more to do with your thoughts than the actual chemicals going in...??
How often do you have to go?
I'm glad the snow didn't prevent you getting this first treatment done.
Take lots of care. x

cheshire wife said...

Pleased to see that you feel well enough to blog. Take things easy and enjoy the holiday if you can.

Merry Christmas, if possible!

Suburbia said...

6 hours is a long time, was thinking of you and glad you have been able to eat. x

Betty W said...

This will be tough time to get through I´m sure. But I hope you feel God´s love and peace with you!

Eddie Bluelights said...

It's been a very long day for you, Maggie and it is rather cruel the weather is making things difficult (+ the parking - ridiculous situation, isn't it?).
Speaking to you earlier I was so thrilled to hear you are not feeling very ill and managing to cope so well, although the brain going less sharp must have been worrying. Don't take the Daily Telegraph crossword.
Had a couple of emails from Roast people and they send their love.
Get plenty of rest tonight. Glad to see you are OK to blog. Love Eddie X

Lakeland Jo said...

Rest Rest Rest- my thoughts and prayers are with you and I hope the treatment continues to go smoothly. And yes damned snow!!

Mimi said...

Maggie, I'm glad it's gone well so far. All that you said about England is true here too, re snow and hospital parking...ridiculous, isn't it?
Do rest now as much as you can, I'm a great believer in the power of rest to help the body heal,
Sending love and light your way,xxx

Jackie said...

Warm and loving hugs come to you, my friend. How sweet of you to post...I know that you had a long day, Maggie.
Love, love, love...completely surrounding you and your dear family.
Jackie

Bernie said...

Maggie after my first treatment they put a port just below my collar bone that held two lines, one to give me chemo and the other to check my blood etc.....chemo is brutal on veins and mine were quite small.....if they offer you this Maggie my suggestion is to take it. It is a bit awkward for a while but much easier as the chemo continued......lots of rest and fluids Maggie, am praying really hard for you.....:-) Hugs

Thumbelina said...

Thinking of you.
Prayers for you.
Take it easy.

Much love and hugs.

Kim Chandler said...

Maggie relieved to hear you made it to your treatment visit OK. I am sure it is a positive feeling to be starting the fight - all the best - have a great Christmas with your family. :) softinthehead

Mickle in NZ said...

I was with you in spirit last night as I kept an eye on the time and where you would be. So pleased your daughter is there to help.

It sure is cold over your way. Spoke to my sister a couple of days ago - they were in bed with three of Mum's quilts on top of them!

sending gentle huggles,

Michelle xxx

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Sounds like the treatment went as it should...have been praying...and will continue...Love you so very much, dearest Maggie!!! ~Janine XO

Rose said...

Thank you for taking the time to post today and keeping us all informed, Maggie. I have been thinking of you all day. So glad the chemo didn't make you ill and that you were able to eat. I'm not surprised the chemicals affected your brain a little, but I'm sure that is a temporary condition. Most of all, I'm glad this first day is over for you! I do hope you'll get some rest so you can enjoy the holidays. Wishing you and your family many blessings this holiday season.

Sarah Lulu said...

Sending you love and prayers ...send snow here I'm so hot!!!!!

Rosaria Williams said...

Oh Maggie, what a long day, full of anxiety and pain. Hang in there. This is a big battle, needing big guns. Stay focused. Accept help. Take time for yourself.

We are sending good thoughts your way,

Marguerite said...

Maggie, this is such an amazing post. It's such a relief to know that your first day went well. Get lots of rest and know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, daily.
Blessings, Marguerite

Dimple said...

Blessings on you, Maggie, and a prayer to the God Who Heals You.

Hilary said...

Thank you for keeping us posted despite the difficulties you're encountering. Keep strong, my friend. Love and hugs to you.

aims said...

I had no idea that the chemicals would affect your brain.

Thank God you are home safe with your snow - and yes - I know you were talking about me!

Thinking of you - positive positive positive.

Much love from a very snowy (it's been going steady for 2 days now) Alberta.

xoxo
me

Brenda said...

I took my computer to my first chemo and absolutely could not concentrate on anything. lol

I hope you are feeling OK right now, sometimes it feels worse the next day. Stay strong, take your meds, you can get through this.

Ayak said...

Like all your friends here, I had been thinking about you yesterday and hoping that everything was going well. The snow is something you don't need right now, just another hindrance, but I'm glad it didn't prevent you from getting to the hospital.

Rest as much as possible. Don't worry about posting if you don't feel up to it...we all understand.

Sending you much love and hope for a speedy recovery.

Linda xxx

Anonymous said...

All the best wishes in the world maggie
So glad the fight has started for real , be positive and woop that cancer xxxx

VioletSky said...

Thank you for posting and letting us know. I've been thinking of you and waiting to hear how your day went. In some ways the snow was a good distraction - just thank goodness no accidents!

Irene said...

Oh Maggie, here you've had your chemo treatment already and I am just aware of it. You sneaked that right in under my nose. I admit I wasn't paying close enough attention, being all caught up in my own life as usual. It sounds like that went well for the first time and I'm glad you were able to eat afterwards. Yes, you had a little bit of chemo brain. I've heard of that happening, but I know it is temporary. How many pills do you have to take and will you be able to keep track of everything? Please do everything just right. My son never completely followed doctor's orders. Take care of yourself, Maggie.

Lots of love.

Akelamalu said...

It's absolutely disgusting that the hospitals charge for parking - let's face it no-one goes to hospital for the fun of it do they?

Any m'dear you got there OK and have had your first treatment so your recovery can begin.

I'll be sending you Reiki each day and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. xxxx

Brian Miller said...

prayers to you maggie. wishing you a very magical christmas...and good news now and to come.

Anonymous said...

Dearest Maggie, I was thinking about you yesterday. 6 hours must have felt like a lot longer I imagine but that's the first day over and now you are on the road to recovery.

My love to you, CJ xx

Anonymous said...

So grateful that you bravely posted to let all of us here in Blogland who care about you know the battle has begun. Fight the good fight, with all your might-knowing that there is an enormous surge of love emanting from all corners of the globe, for you.

XXX

ChrisB said...

Well done Maggie. Keep up the positivity. Have a lovely Christmas, we are thinking of you x

Jinksy said...

That's the first hurdle over, Maggie! Thank goodness the snow didn't mean it was put on hold. It's good to know you made it there and back in one piece, with no weather related accidents.

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Oh Maggie! I've been out of the loop (for a variety of reasons) so had not heard of your chemo treatment until now...wishing you all the very best. Huge hugs and hope you have a very safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Rest and take it easy! Hadriana xx xx

Carolyn R. Parsons said...

I'm glad you've got one done...on to the next one...these treatments work. My aunt just got a clean bill of health after her third treatment...take care of yourself.....follow your dos and don'ts and feel healing vibes from all and sundry around the globe...from my direction they are intense and bright and highly effective.
Breeze

Unknown said...

I just want you to know I was thinking of praying for you. Thinking and praying. And wishing there was more I could do. Much love, Becky

Merry Christmas sweet Maggie May.

Expat mum said...

Remember it's all about looking after yourself at the moment.
xxx

kanishk said...

wishing you all the very best. Huge hugs and hope you have a very safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Rest and take it easy
Work from home India

Joanna Jenkins said...

Hi there, I'm stopping over from Eddies to cheer you on from Los Angeles! I hope your treatment is easy and you are feeling strong and well for the holidays.

Merry Christmas!
Cheers,
jj

Dottie said...

Thoughts and prayers with you, as ever. Dot xx

Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings said...

Still praying in the US. Hope you had a lovely Christmas, despite it all.

Renee said...

Well Maggie May is one of my favourite songs and I am sure that you will become one of my favourite people, just like your brother Eddie.

I am so sorry to hear that you are going through this. It is a beast, but you can do it.

I have Stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer and I know the routine. If I can ever answer any questions you may have please ask.

What chemo are you on? Are you getting a Picc line or a port, that will save your veins big time.

Take care and blessings to you.

Renee xoxoox

Suldog said...

Maggie:

I've said prayers for you at night, and I know for a fact that God listens to me. We're old chums, as a matter of fact. So, don't you worry. All will be OK.

I hope your Christmas was wonderful.